Sunday 21 November 2010

Egg and Lentil Curry

NOTE: This recipe is Vegetarian, but not Vegan.

This dish is also good without the eggs, especially as a side dish to a more dry dish or served over rice.

Energy: 2441kj
Protein: 14.4g
Carbohydrate: 87.3g
Fat: 15.9g (saturated fat: 3.5g)
Cholesterol: 8mg
Calcium: 196mg
Fibre: 3.2g
Sodium: 131mg

Egg and Lentil Curry

Ingredients:

1.5 cups of green lentils
3 cups vegetable stock
6 free-range eggs
2 Tbsp oil
2-3 cloves
1/4tsp black peppercorns
1 onion, finely chopped
2 green chillies, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
2.5cm/1 inch piece of fresh root ginger, peeled and chopped
2 Tbsp curry paste (can use Thai red curry paste if you want)
400g can of chopped tomatoes
1/2 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp garam masala

Method:

1. Wash the lentils thoroughly under cold running water. Put the lentils in a large, heavy pan with the vegetable stock. Cover and simmer gently for about 15 minutes or until the lentils are soft. Drain and set aside.

2. Cook the eggs in boiling water for 10 minutes. Remove from the boiling water and set aside to cool slightly. When cool enough to handle, peel and cut in half lengthways.

3. Heatthe oil in a large frying pan and fry the cloves and peppercorns for about 2 minutes. Add the onion, chillies, garlic and ginger, and fry the mixture for a further 5-6 minutes, stirring frequently.

4. Stir in the curry paste and fry for a further 2 minutes, stirring constantly.

5. Add the chopped tomatoes and sugar and stir in 175ml of water. Simmer for about 5 minutes until the sauce thickens, stirring occasionally. Add the boiled eggs, frained lentils and garam masala. Cover and simmer for a further 1o minutes, then serve.

Source: Hill, S. (2007). The Beans & Pulses Cookbook, Southwater: London, p. 69

Serves: 4

Rating: 5

Spiced Red Lentil and Coconut Soup

Energy: 1109kj
Protein: 13.6g
Fat: 6.8g (1g saturated)
Cholesterol: 0mg
Calcium: 96mg
Fibre: 4.1g
Sodium: 134mg

Spiced Red Lentil and Coconut Soup

Ingredients:

30ml/2 Tbsp sunflower or peanut oil
2 red onions, finely chopped
1 birds' eye chilli, seeded and finely sliced
2 garlic cloves, chopped
2.5cm/1 inch piece of fresh lemongrass, outer layers remoced and inside finely sliced
200g red lentils, rinsed
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp paprika
400ml coconut milk
900ml water
juice of 1 lime
3 spring onions, chopped
20g fresh coriander, finely chopped
salt and ground black pepper

Method:

1. Heat the oil in a large pan and add the onions, chilli, garlic and lemongrass. Cook for 5 minutes or until the onions have softened but not browned, stirring occasionally.

2. Add the lentils and spices. Pour in the coconut milk and water, and stir until well mixed. Bring to the boil, stir, then reduce the heat and simmer for 40-45 minutes or until the lentils are soft and mushy.

3. Pour in the lime juice and add the spring 0nions and fresh coriander, reserving a lettle of each for the garnish. Season, then ladle into bowls. Garnish with the reserved spring onions and coriander.

Source: Hill, S. (2007). The Beans & Pulses Cookbook, Southwater: London, p. 36

Serves: 4

Rating: 4.5